H.E. Mr. Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, paid an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany during 12 and 13 March 2024 as guest of the German government. On this occasion, H.E. Mr. Jakkapong Sangmanee, Deputy Foreign Minister, also attended the program. The visit, which closely followed the recent official visit of
H.E. Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, to the Kingdom of Thailand in January, reaffirmed Germany’s confidence in Thailand’s post-election political stability as well as economic potential that are crucial for the investment from German businesses.

On 13 March 2024, Prime Minister Srettha had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor agreed that both sides, through the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) and the bilateral Political Consultations, will further discuss the Joint Roadmap in order to elevate the Thai-German partnership to a strategic level. The two leaders also discussed ways to enhance cooperation based on mutual interests such as cooperation on political and economic areas, especially exchange of high-level visits, cooperation on clean energy and green transition, EVs and battery industry in order to enhance Thailand’s potential as EVs production hub, transfer of knowledge and technology on sustainable agriculture, development of infrastructure and connectivities through Thailand’s Landbridge project, people-to-people relations, human resource and vocational education, support for the Thai - EU FTA negotiations and on the negotiation of the Schengen visa exemption for Thai ordinary passport holders, as well as cooperation on regional and global issues such as climate change and global security.

Also, on 13 March 2024, Prime Minister Srettha delivered a keynote speech at the Annual Reception of the German Association for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (BVMW) under the theme “Future Day for SMEs”. Prime Minister shared his “Ignite Thailand” vision to respond to current global challenges, climate change and geopolitics, as well as reassured the German business sector that they have vast potential to further advance trade and investment cooperation with Thailand. On this occasion, Prime Minister Srettha invited BVMW to set up its regional office in Thailand to promote and facilitate German SMEs’ investment in Thailand and the region.

Prime Minister Srettha met one-on-one with leading German companies, aiming to attract more German investments in Thailand. The business representatives are from (1) automobile sector, namely Volkswagen (Germany’s largest automobile company), BMW, and Mercedes Benz (premium automobile brands); (2) heavy industry’s parts producer, namely Schaeffler; (3) producers of automobile parts, namely Fritz Draexlmaier and Mahle; and (4) semi-conductor producer, namely Infineon.

This official visit to Germany is one of the Prime Minister’s first visit to Europe region that opened new avenues to advance cooperation in areas of mutual interests, based on shared values and principles, as well as to enhance Thailand’s competitiveness through strategic cooperation with a key partner country.